Academy of Underwater Arts & Sciences Presenter of the NOGI Award
The NOGI
The NOGI recognizes ocean related leaders in the fields of Art, Distinguished Services, Environment, Science and Sports- Education.
The N.O.G.I. statuette was modified from an award formerly bestowed at the reknowned New Orleans Grand Isle Fishing Tournament, which had an underwater division. The first recipients were world-class spearfishing champions in the 1950s. The Underwater Society of America was approached by Jay Albeanese and Louis Cuccia of New Orleans, who sought sanction of this award to annually recognize leaders in the field of skin and SCUBA diving.
THE STATUETTES
The NOGI statuettes were originally designed and carved by the reknowned artist Vero Puccio of New Orleans. They were hand carved out of mahogany. In later years, he made a mold to produce them from polywood. The beautiful Lucite statuettes given today were designed by Wyland in 2005.
